Friendship is Failure #22: Pride and Punishment #2 (Family Unties)

by DakariKingMykan

Rating: everyone
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Slice of Life, Twilight Sparkle, Sad, Applejack, Original Character
Length: 8000

Twilight and friends try to help a separated family reconicle.

A divorced father angrily restrains himself form his wife and child, and takes out his emotions on all others.

Twilight rises up to help the son of the family by getting his parents to reconcile, but she soon learns that pride is a big pill to swallow, especially when she hears what happened and why the family separated.

Lessons:

-If your current arrangements are just fine, there's no need for any drastic changes.

-Taking away something someone holds dear can be quite a cost to pay

-Forcing someone to swallow their pride and become someone they just don't want to be, may only strengthen their stubbornness.

-Some people cannot be persuaded to change. They cannot be bought, badgered, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some people just carry the grudge forever.

Published 2021-09-18 03:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2021-09-18 03:20:00 UTC

Intro: A child in need

INTRO

The bell rang, signaling the end of another day at The School of Friendship, and Professor Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer stood at the doors bidding goodbye to the students as they filed out.

“Have a good weekend every creature.” called Twilight.

“And don’t forget to study for that test on Monday about Family Love.” added Starlight.

With smiling faces and happy expressions, the students all headed for home, while others who resided in their dorms got right down to their studying.

Twilight and Starlight got back to Twilight’s office, where they found Spike exhausted from carrying so many books and piles of test papers all week, and lying flat with his head against the wall.

“Please tell me there are more bundles to carry.” he groaned “This has been one heck of a week.”

The mares couldn’t help but chuckle at him.

Soon, Applejack came to the office. “Hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Nah… we were just listening to Spike complain, and it was just getting good.” joked Starlight.

Spike was not amused, “Very funny!”

Applejack held in a chuckle and came to inform Twilight, “Your delivery’s here at the front doors, they need you to sign for it.”

Twilight grinned, but Spike groaned. “Oh, no…!” knowing fully well what this meant, and before he knew it…

…He was helping carry in boxes of food supplies from the market which Twilight had ordered for the big Family Picnic she was holding the weekend after; as a reward for her students for their outstanding studies in Family Love, appreciation, and all that went with it.

She ordered all kinds of foods to be kept in cold storage, which she and her friends planned to begin preparing little by little.

Puffing and panting, Spike put the last crate down, even though it was small and lightweight. To him, after all the work he had been doing, it felt like it weighed a-hundred pounds.

He heaved a huge sigh. “I am going back to the castle, and taking a nice warm, long bath!!” he bellowed as he stormed off in a grumpy huff.

Twilight and the others felt it best to let him go.

Twilight then signed for the delivery, and asked the delivery pony, “Did your manager get my invitation?”

She head sent an invite to the manager of the market on the school picnic for being so kind and helpful, and even invited him to bring his family along.

To which the delivery guy snuffed, “Yeah, and he also sends you a message back.”

Twilight listened with eagerness, expecting a nice compliment or kind gesture, but the delivery guy unfolded the parchment he was told to read to Twilight from his boss.

“No!”

Twilight and the others were taken back by that response.

“Well, what else did he say?” asked Starlight.

“That’s all it says; “No.” in big, bold letters.”

Applejack looked at the parchment, and was disgusted by such a remark. “Well that ain’t very nice.”

The delivery pony snuffed again, “You’re better off. Ever since his first day, he’s been as crabby as the crab-apples we sell. It’s best not to get involved with him.”

He bid the ponies good day and left.

Twilight stared at the response herself. Normally, any pony or creature would be thrilled to be invited to one of her great events, even if they had no affiliations with the school.

“You’re not going to write him back, are you?” asked Starlight.

Twilight shook her head, “He obviously has his reasons, and I can’t really force him to do something he doesn’t want to.”

“I don’t know…” said Applejack “I can understand respecting wishes, but just saying “No” and brushing you off without any explanation. That sounds mighty strange.”

Twilight was beginning to feel the same way, and thought of at least asking the manager why he refused.

Just as she was about to, a little Earth Pony colt came up to the school.

He was bright yellow in color, with light blue mane, and he had a cutiemark representing a bottle of glue paste. He also wore a pair of rectangular glasses, yet he had a face bluer than wet weekend, and he had definitely been crying.

“Excuse me, Princess Twilight…” he said in a soft and nervous voice.

Twilight immediately recognized him as not one of her students.

“Hello, and who are you?”

The little colt was almost ashamed to look her in the eyes, but he managed and nearly wept as he spoke, “My name’s Sticker “…I need your help, about my Mom and Dad.”

He was obviously too emotional to talk right now, and the three ponies felt he was seriously in trouble.

Act 1: I want my Daddy

ACT ONE

The mares brought Sticker into the school, to cafeteria where Pinkie and Fluttershy treated him to a cupcake, some juice, and a warm hug. “I can’t stand to see a little colt so upset.” She sniffled “It makes me want to cry too.”

Sticker felt a little better.

“Okay, every pony calm down.” said Twilight. “Sticker, what’s up with your parents, and why do you think you need my help for it?

Are they fighting all the time or something?”

Sticker nodded and revealed that his parents were divorced two years.

*Sticker’s POV*

My mom’s name is Ruby Red. She’s the big boss of a chain of jewelry outlets that range from here to all over Equestria. She earned all the money in the family.

My dad’s name is Scribbler. He never seemed to have a real job, because he was trying to make it as a writer for plays. He would send in scripts to all the famous industries and they’d turn him down every time, claiming it wasn’t what they were looking for.

Even still, he didn’t seem to get discouraged. He would keep trying and keep sending more and more.

All the rest of his time, he would take care of the house. He would cook, clean, he would do the shopping, and he would always time with me-- helping with my homework, taking me fishing, or he would drop his script writing just to spend time with me, and play with me.

One of our favorite hobbies was pasting old photos in books and making priceless memories, and that’s how I got my cuitemark.

He was the greatest dad in the world.

…But mom didn’t seem to like it as much. She was always yelling at him to get a real job, and “Stop being so lazy, and irresponsible.”

She was tired that his scripts were never going anywhere, and that he wasn’t making money, even though mom makes more than enough to support us all. She said that people were laughing at her, and that her husband is a “Hack Writer” or “An Embarrassment.”

That’s what drove her to push him to at least getting a job.

Dad really got angry with her, and he refused to get a job; preferring to spend more of his time writing more scripts and spending time with me.

Mom and Dad kept arguing with each other, and mom wouldn’t let me have a say. She was beginning to think that Dad was a bad influence on me, and she didn’t want me to become like him.

So she filed for divorce.

I wasn’t allowed to go to court, but I remember what mom told me.

“Your dad won’t be living with us anymore. You’ll be staying with me.”

“But I want Daddy!”

“Honey, listen to me. The judge has agreed with me, that Daddy isn’t right for you. He makes no money, he doesn’t have a job, and I don’t want you following in his footsteps and doing nothing all your life.

But Daddy has three months. If he gets a job, keeps it, and manages to make himself a suitable home. You’ll get to see him again.”

I cried, and I cried.

Then, three months later, mom came back from the courts; she was very angry and upset.

“Where’s Daddy?”

Mom only told me, “He’s not coming back, and I don’t think either of us should see him again.”

She wouldn’t tell me why, but that was it.

*POV Ends*

Sticker looked as if he was going to cry again, and all the ponies felt just heartbroken for him.

“Oh, you poor little thing.” wept Fluttershy.

Pinkie blew her nose into a hankie and cried softly, while Twilight and the others had shocked looks on their faces.

Now Twilight understood why Sticker came to her.

“I haven’t seen my dad in two years.” Sticker cried. “I miss him so much. He never writes to me, he doesn’t show up at my school plays, or come to sport-practice like he always did.”

Mom always has to hire foal-sitters to look after me because there’s no one at home to take care of me when she’s not around.”

He buried his face in his limbs on the table and began to weep again.

Fluttershy and Pinkie comforted him tenderly, and then looked up at Twilight, she Starlight and Applejack agreed…

Even in families, it was friendship, love, and caring that held it together, and this family was in serious danger, especially for Sticker’s case.

“We’re going for?” asked Applejack.

“Oh, yes we are.” said Twilight.

Starlight agreed. “I think we should start with his mom, and see what she knows about this.”

Twilight asked Pinkie and Fluttershy to look after Sticker, and then asked the boy about his mother and how they could get a hold of her.

“Mom’s not home, right now.” he admitted. “I was supposed to wait at school for my foal-sitter to come and take me home, but I just wanted to come here.”

So Starlight agreed to go back to his school and straighten things out if the teacher or foal-sitter were worried, while Twilight and Applejack went off to talk with Sticker’s mother.

Ruby Red was said to be working today at the Ponyville Jewelry store, on one of her little inspections, which was very close to the food market.

The clerk told the mares, “She was here, but then she just galloped off when she saw some guy in the market. She looked pretty raging mad.”

Suddenly he could see through the glass doors of the shop, “There she is, right across the street.”

Applejack and Twilight looked out and saw Ruby Red, obviously arguing, with some stallion from the market.

Ruby was, well… a red Earth Pony with a red mane brighter than her coat, and shimmered. Her cutemark was that of a jewelry case. She also wore a purple blazer with a white cravat, and wore white pearl earrings.

The other was a brown Earth Pony with a charcoal colored mane. He wore a green and blue apron, as a worker in the market, but his cutiemark seemed to be that of a quill and paper rather than anything food related.

He looked very enraged that Ruby was talking to him.

He balked at her, “What part of the order that says “Keep a-hundred feet away from me” don’t you understand?! Do you want me to call the guards?”

“You are such a jerk! You know that?!” bellowed Ruby. “You can punish me all you like, but don’t bring your son into this!”

Ruby was furious and balked. “What is it? What do you want from me? I tried giving you amnesty, I try reasoning with you! What do you want me to do?”

The other pony looked her dead in the eyes to make sure she paid attention. “…I want you… to disappear!”

Ruby felt so heart-struck, she raised her hoof, ready to belt him across the face!

He would have protested again, when Applejack whistled and shouted, “Hold up your horses here!”

The guy took one look at who was coming, particularly at Twilight, and he groaned “…Oh, no, not her?!”

Then he decided to leave.

“Wait, please!” called Twilight.

He turned to face her and called, “…My break is over, I have work to do. It’s all I have to do anyway.”

Twilight got a good look at his nametag: “Scribbler”

This was Sticker’s father, and Ruby’s ex-husband.

She also saw below his nametag, a second tag which read “Manager”

A double-whammy for Twilight; it meant she could confront Sticker’s father, and the guy who rejected her invitation to the picnic.

…Except he had stormed back to the market.

Ruby looked redder than ever, as if she was going to explode.

“Um… excuse me, Ruby Red?” Twilight asked softly, to which the other mare turned and glared at her as if to yell at her, but she calmed down immediately. “Princess Twilight… I’m afraid you’ve caught me at a bad moment.”

Twilight cleared her throat, trying to brush off the obvious feelings.

Applejack then confronted her. “We may as well be blunt.”

“Please, don’t take long.” Ruby cut in “I have three more stores to inspect. I have to stop off at the bank, and then I have a late night meeting.”

Twilight and Applejack could see she was as busy as Sticker called on.

“…You’re son came to me, ma’am.” said Twilight.

Ruby’s heart almost skipped a beat. “Sticker…? I told him to wait at school for his foal-sitter. He’ll be grounded for this.”

“Now hold it right there!” snapped Applejack “The kid came to us in tears. He told us about you and your husband there.”

“You mean my ex; the worthless jerk!” grumbled Ruby. “Sometimes I don’t even know why I brother with him. Sticker would be far better off without him.”

The Friendship Ponies were already thinking Ruby had a worse problem than she let on.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I can’t ignore a child in need.” said Twilight. “I’d like to talk with you. It’s a matter of his importance.”

Ruby was far too busy to engage in much conversation. “If you wish to speak to me, I will be available at the patio restaurant and 7 Am.”

She handed her one of her business cards and she left.

“…And I thought I was a busy body.” said Applejack.

Since it was obvious they couldn’t go talk to Ruby, Twilight suggested they talk with Scribbler instead, if he had a few minutes.

“I’m starting to think both these ponies got something serious wrong with them.” whispered Applejack.

Twilight thought of this too, but, being her usual self, she had to get the information from both sides… for Sticker’s sake.

They both headed into the market and saw Scribbler making his way to the very back, which was marked for “Employees Only”

He was about to enter, when Twilight called to him. “Excuse me… Scribbler…”

Her turned and saw her, which made him gasp angrily, and he turned to walk away from her faster.

“Wait!” called Applejack. “…We want to talk to you.”

Scribbler showed no interest in talking to either of the ladies, although he did bat them off by pointing straight at the sign, growling. “…Employees Only!”

Then he disappeared behind the curtain leading to the back area.

Much as it was against Twilight’s better judgment to defy rules and regulations, she marched straight in.

“Just a minute, sir.” she practically bellowed.

Scribbler gnashed his teeth while cringing furiously.

“I just want to talk to you… it concerns about your son.”

Scribbler turned and spoke very deeply to her, without shouting, “I have… No…Son!”

Then he pulled on a rope which called for the security guards. “…Escort and her friend off the premises.”

Before Twilight knew it, she and Applejack were escorted outside the market by the guards, though one of them had sympathy for her.

“I’m just doing my job, but… trust me; the guy’s a loudmouth jerk. I wouldn’t go near him. No pony does.”

“I can see that already.” grumbled Applejack.

Before the guards could go back, Twilight decided to ask them if they knew anything about Scribbler and Ruby.

The other guard answered, “All we do know is he took out a restraining order on her. She’s not allowed to come within a-hundred yards of him, neither is her kid.”

Applejack and Twilight gawked at one another.

“A restraining order?” exclaimed Applejack “That doesn’t seem a bit nice.”

Twilight agreed, and then the first guard explained. “That’s not the half of it… Scribbler came to work at this market two years ago. He was just an ordinary checkout clerk, but he really seemed to have attitude.

He was helpful to all the shoppers, but anytime any pony tried to be nice to him out of work, he just brushed them off and wouldn’t accept any kindness of any kind, and I heard he didn’t use to be this way.

My cousin’s friend’s brother used to be his friend, but I heard he chucked him out like a wrapper.”

Now Twilight was really concerned. It sounded as if Scribbler had given up on friendship, and this was something she would not leave to rest.

Author's Note

Yes, I was thinking lots of MRS. DOUBTFIRE while writing this one

I hated the way Miranda acted (More for her own sake than her kids) even going as far to CONVINCE the kids they didn't need Daniel/their father in their lives, when he was clearly not a really bad influence.

Act 2: Mad Ramblings

ACT TWO

After the guards went back to work, Twilight and Applejack walked down the road still talking about what they had learned.

“Restrain against his family? Dumping all his friends?” pondered Applejack “That is really sounding messed up.”

Twilight agreed, “…But messed up or not, we’ve got to get to the bottom of this. Sticker doesn’t want his parents fighting all the time.

For that matter, I don’t either.”

She already had some inkling of why Scribbler would act so mean and commit such actions, but the only way she’d get it out of him would be to talk to him herself.

Applejack then remembered Sticker’s story of how Scribbler was like Father-of-the-Year to him, and Ruby pushed him out.

“Maybe I should talk with Ruby about this. No one understands family better that Ol’ Applejack.”

Twilight believed her, coming from a loving and caring family that always looked out for each other.

“Okay, you talk with Ruby. I’ll see if I can talk with Scribbler.”

Applejack agreed. “We’ll meet back at the castle tonight.”

Then they went off in their own directions.

Applejack waited at the patio restaurant until it began to get dark. It was almost 8pm by the time Ruby showed up because her work finished later than she thought, and she looked famished.

“Oh, so you’re here too?” she asked.

Applejack brushed off the cobwebs that formed on her while she waited and straightened herself out. “I still want to talk to you on behalf of Princess Twilight.”

Ruby sighed. “Fine… but not too long. I have to prepare for a conference tomorrow morning, and I have to make sure Sticker has been fed and put to bed.”

Already Applejack could see this would be a rough one. She figured she’d probably have to get a little bit tough if she had to.

As for Scribbler, he got off work at eight exactly, and headed home.

He lived in a quaint little cottage a few blocks down from the market… which had a “For Sale” sign out in the front of the yard.

Little did he know that Twilight had been secretly hiding nearby and had been spying on him all day, and she had followed him to his home.

She waited until he went inside, and then she waited a few more minutes to make herself look less conspicuous.

“Okay, here goes.” she whispered to herself.

She took in a deep breath and knocked on the door.

“Ugh!!” Scribbler growled, but he answered the door anyway. “You again?!” he thundered, and he was about to slam the door shut in her face, when Twilight used her magic to freeze the door in place.

“Please, forgive me for this, but I really need to speak with you.”

Scribbler lost his patience and called out, “GUARDS…!! GUARDS…!!”

Twilight cringed nervously, but she quickly teleported herself and Scribbler away, just as the guards came by.

“There’s no one here.” said one of them

“But I heard some-pony call us.” said the other.

All they could find was Scribbler’s open door, and they shut it, figuring that’s what someone called for.

“…That’s careless to leave it wide-open like that.”

“Very careless…”

Twilight had teleported herself and Scribbler up high onto a cloud, and she kept him afloat within her magic aura.

“Oh, brilliant!” grumbled Scribbler.

Twilight sighed in relief. “Look, I’m sorry it’s come to this, but I’m not letting you go until we talk things over.”

“Did my ex-wife put you up to this?” asked Scribbler, “Because if she did, I am going to sue the both of you for this harassment, and I hope they throw the book at you!”

Twilight kept her cool, and spoke gently to him, and she told him that Sticker had come to her.

“He misses you very much, and yet you’re pushing him and your ex-wife away.”

“Yes… I am.” Scribbler insisted. “That’s why I’m moving away from Equestria, as far as I can go so they, and ponies like you will never find me, and I can finally get some peace and quiet!”

“But why?!” cried Twilight “How could you do this, to yourself, and to your son?”

Knowing he would never get out of this unless he explained, and seeing as he had nothing more to lose by doing it anyway, he spilled all the beans.

At the very same time, Ruby told Applejack her own version…

Just as Sticker had told them, Scribbler was often shunned, mocked, and ridiculed for his writing, and no major industry would buy any of his scripts out of distaste, but Scribbler wouldn’t quit.

It was revealed then that he didn’t wish to ever have an actual job because he never liked working in a sense like that.

He wanted to make money off his scripts and that was it, which did seem rather risky and self centered, but then again he did enjoy being a family pony and he didn’t mind cooking, cleaning, and taking care of his loved ones.

He especially loved spending time with his Sticker, and he felt it was a good arrangement too.

Ruby made more than enough to support the family, so with her making the income, and he himself being a house-husband and father, what was there really to complain about.

He was starting to never mind if he ever sold a script, because with the love and joy he shared with his family, he didn’t think he could want anything more.

It’s not like he was really being lazy and good-for-nothing. He was happy, the kid was happy, but it wasn’t good enough for Ruby.

While Scribbler was able to take the mocking and ridicule, Ruby wouldn’t. As a professional and work-a-holic business pony, she wanted to keep her image nice and clean, and that was when she started pressuring Scribbler to get a job.

Despite his protests that he didn’t have to, and it would mean no one would be there to care for Sticker, and it would cost more money to hire sitters, and it meant he’d be away from both his folks, Ruby wouldn’t hear of it.

Scribbler still refused to get a job, and the arguments began to pile up to the point where Ruby filed for divorce.

Everything was history up to the point where Scribbler was ordered by the judge to get a job and his own home within three months.

So he started working in the market, and he also gave up on script writing due to the endless amounts of grief he had gotten.

Scribbler succeeded, and became a well-to-do pony with a job and a stable home, and when he was called to court again to hear the judge would award him joint custody of his child…

…He refused to sign the document to make the order official, and stomped off in a huff.

When the judge and Ruby called to him demanding an explanation, Scribbler revealed.

“Look what you’ve done to me!

Everything was just fine. There was no reason to divorce, force me into a job that I don’t like and don’t want.”

Ruby, the judge, the entire court were flabbergasted by his outrage and attitude.

“Mr. Scribbler.” sneered the judge. “I have granted you the ability to see your child.”

“I don’t care, your honor.”

The judge was livid.

Ruby marched straight up to him. “How can you say that…?! How can you even think of abandoning our child?”

To which Scribbler sighed and stated good and clear, “…What part of “I… Don’t… Care…” don’t you understand!”

Ruby nearly lost her temper.

“You got a job! You make an actual living now! You’re a well-to-do pony, and you contribute to society, which I’m sure is grateful for your services.”

“Which means nothing!” snapped Scribbler, shocking everyone so deeply.

“You ponies took away from me everything I loved, just to make me into a pony I never wanted to be.

-You ridiculed my attempts at writing.
-You put me down just because I didn’t sell or have a job.
-I took care of our family just as well as you provided for us, and this is how you repay me-- by divorcing me, taking my kid from me, just because I don’t meet your standards?

Well, you can just keep those standards, because I want nothing to do with you, the kid, or any pony, and from this day forth, any creature who tries to make nice with me, is going to get more than they bargained for.”

The judge looked cross. “I hope that you are not planning to do anything illegal, because if you do--”

“…Nothing of the sort.” said Scribbler “Just that things were taken from me, and my life ruined, and I want every creature to know how it feels to have your pride and joys taken from you.”

So he walked out, and the judge re-ordered full custody of Sticker to Ruby.

From that day forth, Scribbler made good on his promise.

He continued to pay alimony, until it no longer had to be, but he refused to have any contact with his ex-wife or their son.

He pushed away all his friends, wanting nothing to do with them either.

He stopped writing scripts, or engaging in any active social life; preferring to keep to himself in his home.

Any pony or creature who tried to be nice to him, or offer him friendship, he bluntly and coldly turned it down, and those who kept trying to “Help him” or make him change his mind about the way he was going… he ignored them completely.

Ruby would try and reason with him every chance she got, even bringing up Sticker and how he missed his father and wanted him in his life… to which Scribbler only became further infuriated to the point where he took out a one-hundred foot restraining order on her and the boy for constantly harassing him.

…Their punishment for his “ruined life.”

He would especially ignore others who called him out for ditching his son and his ex-wife, but Scribbler wouldn’t budge.

The only place where he acted as civil as he could was at work; helping customers and employees; earning himself the position of manager.

He still loathed and detested his job, and only kept it for the money to keep his home and support himself.

He was doing nothing illegal, just being a rather unpleasant being, and despite all this, he could not be committed into any psychiatric hospital seeing as he was able to take care of himself and posed no real threat to anyone.

“They’ll pay!” he said to himself “They’ll all pay! Every creature should feel my anger!”

Act 3: Scolding the Parents

ACT THREE

Twilight and Applejack were a mix of emotions, including shock, disgust, slight understanding, but above all, they were disappointed in both parents for their horrid and baffling behaviours.

“So you choose to punish ponies, and yourself, just because you got a job?” asked Twilight.

“More than that…” insisted Scribbler. “I lost my pride-- the essence of who I was, and for what: to become something I never wanted to be, and all because Ruby was never satisfied.”

That was about the only thing that Twilight understood about his anger.

“But punishing others by pushing them away, being mean, and renouncing all morals and friendship?!” she exclaimed. “What do you hope to gain for all of this… sympathy?!”

“On the contrary; I don’t expect others to sympathize with me… but to beware of me.

I want no good things happening to me from this job, which is why I reject most forums of goodness and kind gestures

As for others… now they know how angry I can be when I get stepped on. They wanted me to change, okay… I changed, and now they’ve been given the bill and it’s quite expensive too.

But that’s the way life goes: Everything has its price to pay, its sacrifices to make.

If you want something, Can you afford it? Can you keep it? How will affect you and those around you even if you can?”

Twilight felt like she was listening to the ramblings of a mad-pony. Never had she heard of or met someone who was so determined to spit in the face of well-meaning attitudes and changes in life… even though part of his anger was only slightly justified for being ejected from his family.

Scribbler finished by saying, “My pride was taken from me, I did what you all wanted; I got a job and a way of life I did not desire.

…NOW PAY FOR IT!!”

She had heard enough, and was very angry with him.

“As far as I see it, both you and your wife are disgraceful ponies. You’re spending so much time yelling and arguing with each other that you’ve completely ignored and neglected the needs of your own son, a pony that needs you far more than either of you needs each other, or your silly prides.

He is at my castle right now, shaking with fear and tears because his parents keep scaring him with all their yelling and making him feel uncomfortable, especially because they aren’t there for him.”

Scribbler fell silent, but he still looked as stubborn as ever.

Unfortunately, Twilight had no authority to force him to make up with his son or Ruby.

She had said her piece, and decided to set him back down again by his house.

“I can’t control your life, but think about what I said, and think about the used to be… when you cared about more than just yourself.”

Then she teleported away, leaving the enraged pony to angrily kick the stoop, only to injure his hoof and he wailed as he hopped up and down clutching it.

At the same time, Applejack was appalled with Ruby.

“All this because you couldn’t’ control your pride?”

Ruby looked at her sternly. “What do you want? I get that he was a good father to our boy, but he ought to make a living for himself instead of laze about the house all day making hack scripts, and embarrassing me.”

The more she went on, the more livid Applejack got.

“…So I felt Sticker was better off without him, and that’s why I filed for divorce unless Scribbler straightened up. He was nothing… nothing but a bad influence.”

BAM!! Applejack pounded the table with her hooves, making Ruby jump, and other ponies look her way in shock.

Applejack glared her right in the eyes and spoke severely to her.

“Now you listen to me, you twisted mind of a busy body!

I thought I’d seen worse until I met the likes of you, and while I don’t have the power to tell you how to live your life, you’ve pushed me to read you out, and that’s just what I’m going to do!

You had a good setup. You had a husband who loved you and took care of your home while you couldn’t because you were always working your tail off with your businesses and coming home late, too wiped out to make dinner, or look at your boy’s school work and stuff like that, but you still had it fine.

Scribbler couldn’t sell his scripts because maybe he was a lousy writer, I don’t know, but he could have used better support and understanding, and even then he was willing to settle for just being a Homemaker, and I don’t think that’s altogether too bad…

Lots of mares dread being housewives, and others who work like you do often come home only to have to do more chores and cook meals while their husbands neglect them and really laze about.

But, no, having a homemaker and a loving father and supporter for a husband weren’t enough for you.”

Ruby was shaking as she looked away from Applejack’s furious face.

“You get your head up when I’m talking to you, Missy!” she thundered at her, making her jump.

“Now I’m not approving of Scribbler’s attitude, ma’am. As far as I see it, you’re both out of whack, but if you think you’re going to do any table pounding to convince me that you’re right and he’s wrong, you better think again.

He’s not the one who gave into mocking and ridicule; that was all you, and then you got on his back and pushed him into a life that wasn’t needed because you all had more than enough to go around.

Then you divorced him, and you sent him packing. You kept him away from his kid, but it wasn’t for your family’s sake… No, ma’am, it was all because you couldn’t take having your image questioned, when really you could have set a better example and stood by your husband’s side and be thankful for what you had.

...But no, you threw him out to the dogs, and you got your son warped in the middle of this.

You’re always dumping sitters on him, which costs you money when a father can do it for free and did so every day out of love and compassion because he was happy and couldn’t ask for more.

Then you throw yourself in your husband’s face, balking at him even more to do what makes you and only you happy.

Sure, you may bring your son into the picture once in a while because you took his daddy away from him, but it looks like you just use your boy as an excuse to cover your own tracks!”

Ruby was quivering fretfully now. No one had ever talked down to her this way before, usually because she was never listening, and now her guilt which she had tried to supress all this time was grabbing her full force.

Applejack was quite right.; It was her fault her family had fallen apart, and even though Scribbler’s attitude today was nowhere near enlightening and driving them further apart…

…It was she who was the main catalyst and started it all because of her pride and demands.

Seeing she had at least struck her hard, Applejack left some money for her food on the table and began to walk away.

“One last thing, you senseless nighthowl… I say this to you because I’m a better family pony than you’ll ever be the way you’re going at it. I have to be both a motherly and a sister figure, and I learned to think of others than just my own needs.

…So you think about your son and your husband. If you did that in the first place instead of thinking of just yourself, you’d have been happier.”

Then she left, feeling beat and exhausted from blowing her stack so hard. She even regretted doing that.

As for Ruby, she collapsed onto the table, burying her face in her hooves and sobbed in shame.

Back at the Castle of Friendship…

Starlight had fixed the mares some tea the second they got home, and they both told her and Spike what they had missed.

“Sounds like you both really went a little off the deep end tonight.” said Spike.

Twilight and Applejack hung their heads in shame for losing their cool.

“What happened to Sticker?” asked Twilight.

Starlight explained she had Pinkie and Fluttershy take him home. “His mother still has custody rights over him, so we have no right to bring him here.”

Twilight felt really back for Sticker, having to put up with all this. “That poor little colt… It’s not fair he has to be caught up in the middle of this.”

Applejack sighed, “But what can we do about it? Both his folks are stubborn as mules, and we can’t force them to forgive each other.”

Twilight just felt something had to be done and fast before Scribbler moved away, and as he was the most stubborn, practically violent, he would be the hardest to convince yet.

Spike then suggested, “Maybe you could bring the whole family together and get them all to talk it over with the entire Friendship Council.”

All the ponies’ eyes lit up.

“Spike, you’re a genius!” cried Twilight, and she began to pace around the room really fast.

“We can invite them… Yes. And then we show them the values of family, and how they all have to lay their pride aside.”

She kept on rambling to herself to make sure everything was perfect.

Even after she went to bed, she was sitting upright with the light on and writing down notes on her pad what to do and where to setup.

Spike was ever so annoyed that he got up and pulled his basket-bed out into the hall to sleep in quiet.

Act 4: Desertion

ACT FOUR

The next morning, after breakfast, Twilight had gathered the entire friendship council to the castle.

Pinkie Pie was all giddy and bouncing with glee at the spread of cupcakes and cookies on the table she had brought over for the tea and refreshments.

“Oooh, it all looks so tasty!” she drooled.

Applejack held her back. “Take it easy, Pinkie. Remember, this here ain’t going to be no social call.”

Pinkie straightened herself out and maintained her will.

Rarity admired the heart-shaped cozies. “My students really know their art. I really ought to give them higher credit.”

Rainbow hovered by the windows, and she didn’t like the looks of the dark clouds coming in.

“I remember the pegasi were going to make it rain today. That way the weather will be clear for the picnic next weekend.”

Twilight was only slightly relieved, and she had already sent Fluttershy off to ask Ruby and Sticker to come to the castle.

“Once they arrive, I’ll go and get Scribbler, and then we’ll all be here and we can start to try and get the family under control.”

Starlight still felt this constituted as harassment. “You’re bringing them here against their wishes, Scribbler especially.”

Twilight shook her head and insisted, “This is for his own good; what he’s doing isn’t healthy for himself. He needs to go back to the way he once was-- caring, loving, and enjoying life, and it’s not just for his sake or his family, it’s for every creature’s sake.”

She meant that she couldn’t take how Scribbler was punishing other creatures, and pushing them away the way he was. Even though he still wasn’t doing anything illegal, she was deeply concerned that things like this would cause uproar all over Ponyville, which would lead to more collapsing of friendship.

Suddenly, Fluttershy came bursting into the room in complete panic. “Twilight!” she cried “It’s terrible! It’s awful! It’s It’s--”

“Fluttershy, calm down.” said Applejack “What’s all this wildness for?”

“And where are Sticker and Ruby?” asked Twilight.

Fluttershy came right and said it…

“...Ruby is in jail!”

Everyone single face in the entire room froze with shock.

Pinkie then gasped hard, and felt parched right after, so she had a sip of tea.

It turned out that right after Applejack had left Ruby at the restaurant the other night, she had plenty of time to think it over, and, when she went home that night, she couldn’t sleep at all.

Finally, early into the morning, she couldn’t fight it anymore, and wanted to go out to Scribbler and apologize to him… once again, ignoring and violating the restraining order.

Scribbler called the guards, and she was locked up for her constant violations.

In almost no time at all, Twilight had teleported straight to the Ponyville County Jailhouse, where she found Ruby was indeed behind bars, and she also learned that her son had been brought over as well to decide what to do with him.

Twilight was willing to put up bail-- as a princess and school manager; she had a fortune to spare.

Ruby was released, but the social workers at the jail were uncertain if whether or not Sticker could be returned to her.

“But why?” wailed Twilight “She was only trying to reconcile with her ex-husband.”

“I understand that,” the mare explained “But I’m afraid it doesn’t chance the fact that she is now going to have to appear in court, and the judge will have to decide if whether or not she is fit to maintain custody over her son.

I’m sorry, Princess, but this is something for the law to decide. Not friendship.”

She excused herself, and Twilight gazed at Ruby in shock or disappointment.

“I’m sorry. I tried.” she sobbed, and she ran out of the house, humiliated and in tears.

“Ruby Red!!” called Twilight, but she had already gone.

…As for Sticker... Twilight could see through a window into another area of the jailhouse, where the poor little colt was sitting, and in tears. He was so scared and so upset of seeing his mother get arrested, and wondering what would happen to him.

Twilight was so enraged with Scribbler, that she teleported immediately to his home, and practically slammed on the door. “SCRIBBLER… GET OUT HERE!!” she shouted. Her voice echoed all through the neighborhood, and made birds scatter away.

There was no answer.

Twilight was then panting softly, but then she noticed a letter under the mat by the door.

It was actually addressed to her from Scribbler…

“Princess Twilight…

If you’re reading this, you are too late, I have already left, but I’m sure you would have come by, and you know why.

So, I’ll get right to the point…

I’ve just up and abandoned it all-- my job, my home, and especially the creatures around me. I am tired of everyone constantly getting in my face about how to live my life.

I’m already on my way, deep beyond the borders of Equestria with what money I have to start a new life for myself. It’s better this way, for me, for Ruby, and for my son.

I leave to them all my things for support and stuff, but don’t bother come looking for me.

Just know I was pushed to this!”

--Scribbler

Twilight slumped slowly on the steps as rain began to fall. All her plans were no more good, and now the family would never reconcile and get back to a better lifestyle.

She felt so angry at Scribbler, and upset for the loss, that she curled up and began to cry softly.

It wasn’t until Starlight had come looking for her when she never came home, that she took her back to the castle to try and sort out whatever was left of things.

Over the next few days, the courts ruled that despite Ruby’s offense, it was non-too severe, and as Sticker still needed a mother, and that she was still stable and able to provide for him…

…Sticker got to stay with her.

Still, two ponies were a wreck, and they cried their woes away.

Ruby was outraged when she heard that Scribbler flew the coop, but more at herself for driving him to it.

Sticker was especially upset that he had lost his father, possibly forever, and it hurt him dearly.

Neither Sticker nor Ruby blamed Twilight or her friends for what happened. In their situation, they needed all the friends and support they could get.

Twilight still felt really guilty, feeling she did play a part in this, even though it wasn’t really her fault.

All the next week, Twilight and all the other ponies taught to their students at school about the events that occurred, and how some families were different.

“I hope you all learn from this, because I would hate to think that you or someone you know and care about is going through the same things.”

The students felt horrible for Sticker and his mother.

Some of the students even went to visit Sticker at his home after school and made friends with him.

Sticker was happy to have so many new friends, but it still would never fill the hole in his heart-- missing his father.

As for Ruby, she was finding harder to work than ever, now having to take more care of her son than ever, but she was willing to manage as she was at fault for driving Scribble away, and she couldn’t bear to leave her boy with anymore sitters.

It made her begin to appreciate what Scribble did when he was with them more than ever, and how much she wished he would come back.

To show even more support and sympathy, Twilight invited to two to her school’s family picnic over the weekend, even if it meant it would remind them of their loss, it would also show how much support they were being given, and all the new friends they could have.

The two had a good time, and Twilight was pleased, but she still thought of Scribbler and was still livid at how he just abandoned all morals in the book.

“Maybe someday he’ll come back.” suggested Applejack “Maybe being away will give him time to think it over, and he’ll realize the error of his ways.”

Twilight hoped the same thing. “But what if he never comes back, and even if he does, will everything get worse? I mean… he just up and abandoned his family and everything else he had.

How can anyone forgive him over that. I’m not sure even I would.”

To which Applejack replied, “Whatever happens, we’ll be ready for it. No family deserves to be under this much stress and hurt for so long, but even still… they have to learn to pull through somehow.

Some families get back together, and some don’t.”

Twilight smiled at her friend’s wisdom and honesty, and with all this in mind, there was nothing else to do but join back in the picnic, and prepare studied for lessons relating to these events.

All they could ever do was continue to hope that Scribbler, wherever he was, would see the error of his ways, swallow his pride, and come back to make things better.

Author's Note

Hoooooooooowie... That felt satisfying. (I needed to blow some steam)

Oh, and as for Scribbler abandoning them, it's either that or... THIS alternate ending...

The family reconciles in the rain, and they all come together in a tearful group hug...

...AND THEN THEY GET STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

Those are the only two choices you'll get from me...

See you next time, Twilight